MAUGRIM THE WOLF BY MAURICE HARRON
MAUGRIM THE WOLF BY MAURICE HARRON [C.S.LEWIS SQUARE IN BELFAST]
Located in the heart of East Belfast, C.S. Lewis Square is a stunning tribute to the city's most famous literary son. Among the seven bronze sculptures inspired by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the figure of Maugrim stands out for its menacing energy.
Harron’s goal with Maugrim was to ensure the character felt "alive" within the urban landscape. By avoiding a pedestal and placing the wolf directly on the ground, Harron bridges the gap between the viewer's world and Lewis’s imagination.
The square is free to visit and is particularly atmospheric at night when the lighting highlights the shadows of the wolf’s form.
The Background: The Captain of the Secret Police
In Lewis’s Narnia, Maugrim is a talking wolf and the Captain of the White Witch’s Secret Police. He is the one who nails the "treason" notice to Mr. Tumnus’s door and later hunts the Pevensie children.
In the context of the square, which opened in 2016 to mark the 53rd anniversary of Lewis's death, Maugrim represents the darker, more suspenseful elements of the Narnian narrative. While characters like Mr. Tumnus or Aslan offer warmth and majesty, Maugrim provides the necessary "edge" that makes the fantasy world feel real and perilous.
The Sculpture: A Study in Tension
The Maugrim sculpture is a masterclass in capturing movement and intent. Unlike a static monument, this piece is designed to look as if it is prowling.
Posture: The wolf is depicted low to the ground, mid-stride, with his head turned as if he has just caught a scent or heard a footfall.
Detail: The texture of the bronze mimics matted fur, and the sharp lines of the snout and ears give it an aggressive, predatory silhouette.
Placement: He is positioned near the edge of a path, making him appear as though he is stalking visitors as they walk toward the centre of the square.
The Sculptor: Maurice Harron
The entire collection at C.S. Lewis Square was created by the renowned Irish artist Maurice Harron.
Harron is celebrated for his ability to weave social and literary history into public spaces. His work often focuses on themes of reconciliation and community, but for this project, he had to pivot to the realm of high fantasy.
Harron’s goal with Maugrim was to ensure the character felt "alive" within the urban landscape. By avoiding a pedestal and placing the wolf directly on the ground, Harron bridges the gap between the viewer's world and Lewis’s imagination.
Located in the heart of East Belfast, C.S. Lewis Square is a stunning tribute to the city's most famous literary son. Among the seven bronze sculptures inspired by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the figure of Maugrim stands out for its menacing energy.
Harron’s goal with Maugrim was to ensure the character felt "alive" within the urban landscape. By avoiding a pedestal and placing the wolf directly on the ground, Harron bridges the gap between the viewer's world and Lewis’s imagination.
The square is free to visit and is particularly atmospheric at night when the lighting highlights the shadows of the wolf’s form.
The Background: The Captain of the Secret Police
In Lewis’s Narnia, Maugrim is a talking wolf and the Captain of the White Witch’s Secret Police. He is the one who nails the "treason" notice to Mr. Tumnus’s door and later hunts the Pevensie children.
In the context of the square, which opened in 2016 to mark the 53rd anniversary of Lewis's death, Maugrim represents the darker, more suspenseful elements of the Narnian narrative. While characters like Mr. Tumnus or Aslan offer warmth and majesty, Maugrim provides the necessary "edge" that makes the fantasy world feel real and perilous.
The Sculpture: A Study in Tension
The Maugrim sculpture is a masterclass in capturing movement and intent. Unlike a static monument, this piece is designed to look as if it is prowling.
Posture: The wolf is depicted low to the ground, mid-stride, with his head turned as if he has just caught a scent or heard a footfall.
Detail: The texture of the bronze mimics matted fur, and the sharp lines of the snout and ears give it an aggressive, predatory silhouette.
Placement: He is positioned near the edge of a path, making him appear as though he is stalking visitors as they walk toward the centre of the square.
The Sculptor: Maurice Harron
The entire collection at C.S. Lewis Square was created by the renowned Irish artist Maurice Harron.
Harron is celebrated for his ability to weave social and literary history into public spaces. His work often focuses on themes of reconciliation and community, but for this project, he had to pivot to the realm of high fantasy.
Harron’s goal with Maugrim was to ensure the character felt "alive" within the urban landscape. By avoiding a pedestal and placing the wolf directly on the ground, Harron bridges the gap between the viewer's world and Lewis’s imagination.
MAUGRIM THE WOLF BY MAURICE HARRON